What You Get — At a Glance
- Inspection scope: firmness, bruising, decay, skin defects, color consistency, CA history, net weight discipline and loading conditions where available
- Report output: batch summary, photo documentation, Green / Orange / Red classification and shipment recommendation
- Commercial value: decide whether to load, reroute or reject — before export risk becomes a claim
Who This Is For
- Importers buying apples from Poland who need independent pre-shipment verification
- Exporters and trading companies who need external QC before loading
- Buyers shipping on sea routes where claims, delays and quality disputes are expensive
Indicative Pricing
Basic QC starts from EUR 200 per inspection. Final price depends on scope, batch size, distance and urgency.
For multi-container programs or repeated inspections, pricing is quoted individually.
What We Inspect
We inspect apples with one goal: transit risk assessment. This is not cosmetic grading. This is a decision tool for long-distance sea routes.
We focus on parameters that matter after 30–45+ days in transit:
- Firmness range (batch spread matters more than one average number)
- Bruising profile (minor vs major; decay development risk)
- Decay presence (low levels can accelerate on long transit)
- Russeting / skin defects (commercial impact + claim sensitivity)
- Color deviation (variety-specific, batch consistency)
- CA history & CA release timing (key long-haul risk factor)
- Net weight discipline (buffer vs intake discrepancy risk)
- Temperature at loading (if available) + cold chain handling
Transit Risk Classification
We use a simple traffic-light system for decision making. The classification reflects transit risk, not beauty grade.
Green Classification — Suitable for Long-Distance Transit
Batch suitable for long-haul routes, including 40+ day sea transit, under standard reefer handling.
Orange Classification — Conditional / Route-Specific
Batch may be acceptable, but requires constraints such as shorter route, faster distribution, stricter handling, or extra monitoring.
Red Classification — Not Recommended for Long-Haul Export
Batch not recommended for long-distance export due to elevated risk of deterioration during transit.
What You Receive
- Batch summary – scope and key findings
- Photo documentation – evidence set
- Risk classification – Green / Orange / Red
- Recommendation – suitable / conditional / not recommended for long-distance transit
Transit Monitoring Standard
For long-distance shipments we recommend temperature data loggers and ethylene filters as standard control tools.
Exception: 18 kg bushel carton programs where SmartFresh treatment is applied and ethylene management is handled at storage level before loading.
Independence Statement
QC service can be provided on request for batches sourced from third parties.
Inspection service is provided independently from any purchase or resale activity related to the inspected batch.
We are paid for the QC service only.
Request a QC Inspection
Please prepare:
- Company name
- Destination / route
- Variety + packaging
- Planned loading date
- Required scope – basic / extended
- Number of containers or pallets
- Inspection location in Poland
Frequently Asked Questions — Apple QC & Export
What does pre-shipment QC for apples include and what parameters are checked?
Pre-shipment QC focuses on transit risk assessment, not cosmetic grading. Parameters checked:
| Parameter | What we check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness range | Batch spread, target 6.0–8.5 kg/cm² (variety-dependent) | Predicts softening risk over 30–45 days transit |
| Bruising profile | Minor vs major; decay development risk | Low-level bruising can accelerate on long routes |
| Decay presence | Percentage and type of affected units | Even low levels accelerate in reefer over 40+ days |
| CA history & release timing | Controlled atmosphere storage record | Key long-haul risk factor — affects firmness retention |
| Colour deviation | Variety-specific batch consistency | Commercial impact and claim sensitivity at destination |
| Temperature at loading | Target: 0–2°C | Reefer pre-cooling compliance |
| Net weight discipline | Buffer vs intake discrepancy risk | Weight claims at destination |
What is the Green/Orange/Red transit risk classification for apple export?
| Classification | Meaning | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Suitable for long-haul routes including 40+ day sea transit under standard reefer handling at 0–2°C | Proceed with loading |
| Orange | Conditional — shorter route (max 21 days), faster distribution, stricter handling or extra monitoring required | Proceed with restrictions |
| Red | Not recommended for long-distance export — elevated risk of deterioration during transit | Do not load for long haul |
Classification is based on combined assessment of firmness, decay, bruising and CA history — not a single parameter.
What export documents does MG SALES provide for apple shipments to India, West Africa or GCC?
| Document | Issued by | Required for |
|---|---|---|
| Phytosanitary Certificate | PIORIN (Polish Plant Health Inspection) | All export destinations |
| WIJHARS Quality Certificate | WIJHARS (Polish fruit & vegetable inspection) | EU and international trade |
| EUR.1 Movement Certificate | Polish Customs | Preferential tariff under EU trade agreements |
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | MG SALES | All shipments |
| Bill of Lading / CMR | Carrier | Sea freight / road transport |
| Certificate of Origin | Chamber of Commerce | On request |
| Halal Certificate | Accredited body | GCC — on request |
For India: phytosanitary certificate must include specific declarations per NPPO India requirements. COA and batch QC report available per shipment.
What is the realistic shelf life of Polish apples in reefer container transit to India or West Africa?
| Variety | Transit window | Reefer condition |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Gala | 35–45 days | 0–1°C, CA storage history required |
| Red Delicious | 40–50 days | 0–1°C, CA storage history required |
| Golden Delicious | 30–40 days | 0–1°C |
| Idared | 45–60 days | 0–1°C — best variety for long haul |
Key conditions: reefer set at 0–2°C, relative humidity 90–95%, ethylene management (filters or SmartFresh treatment). Hamburg to Nhava Sheva (India): approx. 21–28 days. Hamburg to West Africa (Lagos/Tema): approx. 14–21 days. Green classification recommended before loading for any route over 21 days.
Can MG SALES inspect apples from third-party suppliers — what is the independence policy?
Yes. QC service is provided independently from any purchase, resale or brokerage activity related to the inspected batch. MG SALES is paid for the QC service only — there is no commercial interest in the batch outcome.
This independence is important for importers who need an unbiased pre-shipment assessment before accepting a delivery from a Polish supplier they have not worked with before.
Basic QC starts from EUR 200 per inspection. Final price depends on scope, batch size, distance and urgency.
What phytosanitary requirements apply to Polish apple exports and what pests are regulated?
Polish apple exports require a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by PIORIN (Państwowa Inspekcja Ochrony Roślin i Nasiennictwa) per each shipment. Key regulated pests:
| Pest | Regulation | Market impact |
|---|---|---|
| Erwinia amylovora (fire blight) | Zero tolerance | India, GCC — import may be refused |
| Cydia pomonella (codling moth) | Fumigation declaration required | Some non-EU markets |
| Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly) | Monitored in Polish orchards | Declaration required for some destinations |
For India: import permit from NPPO India required; phytosanitary certificate must include specific declarations per NPPO India requirements. MG SALES coordinates phytosanitary documentation per shipment.